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Business notes: Elly Ruge brings hospitality to car repair, detailing job

Cowichan Auto Repair has begun operations at 3050 Allenby Rd.
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Cowichan Auto Repair has opened its doors at 3050 Allenby Rd. Pictured is owner Elly Ruge and mechanic Colin Reaume.

Cowichan Auto Repair has begun operations at 3050 Allenby Rd.

The business, owned by Elly Ruge, specializes in car repairs and restorations, as well as mobile detailing.

Ruge said her mobile detailing service has become quite popular in the region among businesses and private car owners since the shop recently opened its doors.

Ruge comes from the hospitality industry and has operated hotels across the globe.

But she said she’s always been a great car enthusiast and has attended car rallies and races around the world as well.

“Everyone has a car that needs repairs, so I thought I’d start Cowichan Auto Repair,” she said.

“It’s my first auto repair shop and business has been good so far.”

Brown going all-natural with cosmetics

Christine Lise Brown has opened a new cosmetics shop at 25 Canada Ave. in Duncan, but it’s a cosmetics shop with a difference. Brown, who opened Lise Brown Natural Cosmetics just a few weeks ago, said her products are all hand made using only natural ingredients.

“I already have a loyal clientele who are looking for luxurious cosmetics that are also free of harmful chemicals and carcinogens that many people have bad reactions to,” Brown said.

“I sell products that only have clean and natural ingredients.”

Just add oxygen: O2-J Wellness aims to relax you

A business dedicated to relaxation and massage therapies has opened upstairs at 330 Duncan St.

O2-J Wellness was just opened by Julie Ziegler, a professional wellness practitioner, who recently moved to Duncan from Alberta.

She said she specializes in massage reflexology, hot-jade stone massages and oxygen facials, among other services.

“I try to incorporate oxygen into all my treatments,” Ziegler said.

“It improves metabolism and circulation, reduces toxins and acids in people’s bodies and promotes relaxation.”

Vintage and Home Decor shop all about custom

Entrepreneurs Fawn Allan and Krysta Martin have joined forces and opened Allan and Martin Vintage and Home Decor at Whippletree Junction.

The store deals in repurposed furniture, custom-made and decorative signs, and the business partners also sell paints with their own additives and all natural waxes to seal furniture.

Allan said she and Martin are friends and neighbours who came up with the idea of starting their own business during their many “antiquing” days together in which they would scour the region for antique furniture.

“We’ve only been open for a few days and people have been coming through non-stop,” Allan said.

“We’re already looking at a larger space next door that would allow us to have more space and offer classes.”

Robert. Barron@cowichanvalleycitizen.com



Robert Barron

About the Author: Robert Barron

Since 2016, I've had had the pleasure of working with our dedicated staff and community in the Cowichan Valley.
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